Data processing apparatus, system control method and system

ABSTRACT

If a user specifies shutdown of the power supply of an apparatus from a console, another apparatus connected to the same network is notified so as not to issue a request for a new shared job, and it is determined whether a scheduled shared job exists. The display on a display screen is changed in accordance with the result of the determination. If it is determined that a shared job exists, shutdown of the power supply is controlled in accordance with the status of execution of the shared job.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/501,781, filed Aug.10, 2006, which claims benefit of that application under 35 U.S.C. §120,and claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Japanese Patent Application2005-244747, filed Aug. 25, 2005. The entire contents of each of thementioned prior applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus, systemcontrol method and system. More particularly, the invention relates tocontrol at power shutdown in a data processing apparatus that is capableof executing processing of a shared job requiring cooperative operationusing another data processing apparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

An apparatus referred to as a multifunction peripheral (MFP) has beendeveloped as office automation (OA) equipment in recent years and joinssuch devices as image readers (scanners) and copiers. An MFP hasmultiple functions such as a scanning function, copying function,facsimile function and printing function.

In an effort to exploit the functions of such OA equipment effectively,it has been proposed to execute a variety of shared jobs by utilizing aplurality of devices connected to a network.

For example, cascade copying is known in the art and is executable in asystem having an image reader, a first MFP locally connected to thereader and a second MFP connected to the first MFP via a network.Cascade copying is a job in which image data that has been scanned in bythe image reader is printed simultaneously by the first and second MFPs.

Further, “remote copying” is also commonly performed. Remote copyingutilizes an image reader and a printing apparatus (printer) connectedvia a network. Image data that has been scanned in by the image readeris transmitted to the printing apparatus via the network, and theprinter apparatus performs printing based upon the image data.

It is predicted that such shared jobs will increase greatly in thefuture. For example, shared jobs are effective in a case wherehigh-value optional functions are shared by a plurality of devices overa network. These high-value options make possible various types of imageprocessing such as PDF processing, TIFF processing, OCR processing,compression/expansion processing and encryption processing. In aconcrete example of such a shared job, image data that has been acquiredby a local device is transmitted to a specific remote device via anetwork and is subjected to image processing by shared optionalfunctions. The image data sent back is subsequently stored in the localdevice or printed out.

A shared job referred to as “pull printing” also is possible. In pullprinting, image data that has been stored in a remote device isretrieved by a local device via a network, this image data istransmitted to the local device and is printed by the local device.

Although it is possible to shut down (turn off) the power supply of eachdevice that takes part in executing such shared jobs, the timing atwhich the power supplies are turned off is difficult.

The specification of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2004-241864 describes processing at power shutdown in two imageprocessing devices that operate in tandem as master and slave. If thepower supply of the master device has been turned off, the slave deviceabandons the scheduled job, moves up the succeeding job and executes itpreferentially. If the power supply of the slave device is turned off,on the other hand, the master device is decoupled from the slave deviceand operates independently.

However, master and slave roles are not fixed in a device that takespart in executing a shared job. That is, there are cases where eventhough the device operates as a master in relation to a certain sharedjob, it operates as a slave in relation to another shared job. Thismeans that it is difficult to apply processing of the kind described inthe prior-art application mentioned above.

If the power supply of either device is forcibly turned off duringexecution of a shared job, a mismatch occurs between the devices duringexecution of the shared job, the shared job is suspended and an erroroccurs in the worst case.

On the other hand, in order to avoid power shutdown during execution ofa shared job, the status of job execution must be monitored at alltimes. If shared jobs are requested one after another from other devicesconnected over the network in such case, there will no longer be a breakbetween shared jobs and it will be difficult to shut down power.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to so arrange it thatwhen a shared job requiring cooperative operation using another dataprocessing apparatus is executed, the power supply of each dataprocessing apparatus can be shut down without affecting a shared jobcurrently being executed.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the foregoing object isattained by providing a data processing apparatus capable of executingprocessing of a specific job requiring cooperative operation usinganother data processing apparatus, comprising: an acceptance unitadapted to accept from an operator a shutdown request to shut down apower supply of said data processing apparatus; and a controller adaptedto, in a case where a specific job to be processed by said dataprocessing apparatus exists, enable shutdown of the power supply of saiddata processing apparatus following end of processing of the specificjob by said data processing apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the foregoing object isattained by providing a control method in a system so adapted thatprocessing of a specific job requiring cooperative operation using aplurality of data processing apparatuses is capable of being executed,comprising the steps of: accepting from an operator a shutdown requestto shut down a power supply of a data processing apparatus capable ofexecuting processing of the specific job; and in a case where a specificjob to be processed by said data processing apparatus capable ofexecuting processing of the specific job exists, enabling shutdown ofthe power supply of said data processing apparatus following end ofprocessing of the specific job by said data processing apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the foregoing object isattained by providing a system capable of executing processing of aspecific job requiring cooperative operation using a plurality of dataprocessing apparatuses is capable of being executed, comprising: anacceptance unit for accepting from an operator a shutdown request toshut down a power supply of a data processing apparatus capable ofexecuting processing of the specific job; and a controller which, in acase where a specific job to be processed by a data processing apparatuscapable of executing the specific job of exists, is for enablingshutdown of the power supply of said data processing apparatus followingend of processing of the specific job by said data processing apparatus.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments (with reference toattached drawings).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the general configuration of animage processing system according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating in detail the internal structureof a controller in an image input/output apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating the structure of the imageinput/output apparatus as seen externally;

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the structure of a console of theimage input/output apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed at power shutdownin the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a conceptual view useful in describing notification of powershutdown in the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of display on a liquidcrystal screen of the console;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of display on a liquidcrystal screen of the console; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed at power shutdownin a second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be describedexemplarily with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should benoted that the structural elements described in the followingembodiments are illustrative and the scope of the present invention isnot limited solely to these elements.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the general configuration of animage processing system according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention. The image processing system of this embodiment has threeimage input/output apparatuses 200, 220, 230, an offline finisher 240, aserver computer 250 and a personal computer 260. These are connected toa LAN 2011.

The image input/output apparatus 200 comprises a scanner 2070 serving asan image input device, a printer 2095 serving as an image output device,a controller 2000 and a console 2012 serving as a user interface. Thescanner 2070, printer 2095 and console 2012 are connected to thecontroller 2000.

The image input/output apparatuses 220 and 230 have components similarto those of the image input/output apparatus 200. That is, the imageinput/output apparatuses 220 and 230 respectively comprise scanners 2270and 2370; printers 2295 and 2395; and consoles 2212 and 2312. Thesecomponents are connected to controllers 2200, 2300, respectively. Theoffline finisher 240 subjects printing paper to post-processing offline.The server computer 250 has a large storage capacity and operates asstorage means. The personal computer 260 allows the user to issuecommand and make inputs.

A case where a service provided by each individual apparatus is to readin (input) an image using the scanner 2070 of the image input/outputapparatus 200 and print (output) the image using the printer 2095 isreferred to as “local copying”. A service thus completed within theimage input/output apparatus to which the job has been input is referredto as a “local” service (job).

In this embodiment, however, it is also possible to utilize these systemcomponents to implement a service offered cooperatively between theapparatuses connected to the network and not just a service provided byeach individual apparatus (such a service is a “shared job”).

Among these services is processing referred to as “remote copying”. Thisis processing in which an image is read by the scanner 2070 of the imageinput/output apparatus 200, for example, and is printed by the printer2095 of the image input/output apparatus 220 or by the printer 2395 ofthe image input/output apparatus 230. A service thus provided utilizinga function of an apparatus other than the image input/output apparatusto which a job has been input is referred to as a “remote” service(job).

Furthermore, an image is read by the scanner 2070 of the imageinput/output apparatus 200 and is printed simultaneously by the printers2095 and 2295 of the image input/output apparatuses 200 and 220,respectively. Processing in this case is referred to as “cascadecopying”.

It is possible for an image (stored image) that has been stored in alarge-capacity storage device of the server computer 250 to be retrievedand output by the image input/output apparatus 200, 220 or 230. Thisprocessing is referred to as “pull printing”. The object of pullprinting may be a stored image of an image input/output apparatus, inwhich case a stored image that has been stored on a hard-disk drive(described later) of the image input/output apparatus 220 is retrievedand output by the image input/output apparatus 200.

Further, it is possible to read an image by the scanner 2070 of theimage input/output apparatus 200, for example, and store the image datain the personal computer 260 in order that it may be utilized by anindividual user. Such processing is referred to as “push scanning”.

Furthermore, it is also possible to read an image using the scanner 2070of the image input/output apparatus 200 and distribute the thus obtainedcomputerized data by e-mail via the LAN 2011. This processing isreferred to as “scan to e-mail”. At this time the computerized data maybe distributed upon converting it to a data of a certain format, such asPDF data, TIFF data, OCR data, JPEG data and encrypted data, etc. Inthis case, even if the image input/output apparatus 200 does not possesssuch a conversion function, it will suffice if another apparatus has theconversion function that it can share over the network. This means thatthe image input/output apparatus 200 can transmit electronic data viathe LAN 2011 and have the electronic data sent back after execution ofthe format conversion.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating in detail the internal structureof the controller 2000 in the image input/output apparatus 200. Thecontroller 200 is connected via a bus 2071 to the scanner 2070 servingas an image input device and via a bus 2096 to the printer 2095 servingas an image output device. By being connected to the LAN 2011 and apublic line (WAN) 2051, the controller 2000 control input and output ofimage information and device information.

A CPU 2001 is a controller for controlling the overall system. A RAM 202is a system work memory needed for the CPU 2001 to operate. This is alsoan image memory for storing image data temporarily. A ROM 2003 storesthe booting program of the system. A hard-disk drive (HDD) 2004 storessystem software and image data, etc.

A console interface (I/F) 2006, which is for interfacing the console(user interface) 2012, outputs image data, which is to be displayed onthe console 2012, to the console 2012. The console interface 2006further functions to transmit information, which the user of the systemhas entered from the console 2012, to the CPU 2001. A network unit 2010is connected to the LAN 2011 and performs the input and output ofinformation. A modem 2050 is connected to the public line 2051 andinputs and outputs information. The devices mentioned above are disposedon a system bus 2007.

An image bus interface (I/F) 2005 is a bus bridge for connecting thesystem bus 2007 and an image bus 2008, which transfers image data athigh speed, and for converting the data structure. The image bus 2008 isconstituted by a PCI bus or IEEE 1394.

In each device disposed on the image bus 2008, a raster image processor(RIP) 2060 expands PDL (Page Description Language) code into a bitmapimage. A device interface (I/F) 2020 connects the scanner 2070 orprinter 2095 to the controller 2000 and subjects the image data to asynchronous/asynchronous conversion. A scanner image processor 2080subjects input image data to correction, manipulation and editing. Aprinter image processor 2090 subjects output image data from the printerto correction and resolution conversion, etc., that conform to theprinter 2095. An image rotation unit 2030 rotates image data. An imageprocessor 2040 subjects image data to compression/expansion processingsuch as JPEG, JBIG, MMR or MH compression/expansion, or applies a formatconversion such as PDF, TIFF, OCR or encryption.

FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating the structure of the imageinput/output apparatus 200 as seen externally. The scanner 2070, whichis the image input device, illuminates the image of a document and scansthe document using a CCD line sensor (not shown) to convert thereflected light from the document to an electric signal representingraster-image data. Paper documents are placed on a tray 2073 of adocument feeder 2072 and the user uses the console 2012 to enter aread-start command. In response, the CPU 2001 of the controller 200applies the command to the scanner 2070 via the bus 2071. The documentfeeder 2072 feeds the documents one sheet at a time and the scanner 2070reads the document images.

The printer 2095 serving as the image output device records the rasterimage data, which has been received from the controller 2000 via the bus2096, on paper as an image. Any printing technique may be used in theprinter. Examples are electrophotography, which employs a photosensitivedrum or belt, or an ink-jet technique, which forms an image directly onpaper by jetting ink from an array of micronozzles.

The printing operation is started up in response to a command receivedfrom the CPU 2001 of the controller 2000 via the bus 2096. The printer2095 possesses a plurality of supply bins that make it possible toselect paper of different sizes or orientations, as well as papercassettes 2101, 2102, 2103 and 2104 corresponding to these bins. A droptray 2111 receives the paper on which printing has been completed. Itshould be noted that the recording medium stored in the cassettes 2101,2102, 2103 and 2104 is not limited to printing paper and may be OHPsheets, etc.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the structure of the console 2012 ofthe image input/output apparatus 200.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the upper part of the console 2012 has aliquid crystal screen 210 for displaying images and text, and the lowerpart of the console has an array of various operating keys. Theoperating keys are a reset key 211, guide key 212, user mode key 213,interrupt key 214, PIN key 215, numeric keys 216, clear key 217, startkey 218, stop key 219 and power on/off key 221.

The liquid crystal screen 210 displays settings and the operating statusof the apparatus. It is also possible to input setting information bypressing soft keys or the like on a touch-sensitive panel (not shown)mounted on the liquid crystal screen 210.

The reset key 211 resets settings to an initial mode. The guide key 212causes operating instructions to be displayed on the liquid crystalscreen 210. The user mode key 213 is for establishing a mode in whichthe apparatus can be set in various ways. The interrupt key 214 is fortemporarily halting apparatus operation and allowing another joboperation to be performed. In a PIN mode in which the apparatus cannotbe used unless a PIN is entered, the PIN key 215 is for entering the PINafter it has been input using the numeric keys 216. The numeric keys 216are for inputting the number of copies or the values of varioussettings. The clear key 217 is for clearing values that have been input.The start key 218 is for instructing the apparatus to start an imageinput/output operation. The stop key 219 is for stopping an imageinput/output operation. The power on/off key 221, which is a softswitch, is primarily for turning the apparatus power supply on and off.However, the power on/off key 221 is also capable of turning off themain power source by being held depressed, by way of example.

(Processing Executed when Turning Off Power)

Processing executed when power is turned off in the image processingsystem of this embodiment will now be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchartillustrating processing executed at power shutdown in this embodiment.

Described will be processing in an image input/output apparatus that isthe target of a shared job such as remote copying, cascade copying, pullprinting, push printing and scan-to-mail, where use is made of at leasttwo image input/output apparatuses. Here the shared jobs will be a jobthat requires transmission of data to another image input/outputapparatus, a job in which a printing operation is borne by a pluralityof image input/output apparatuses, and a job that requires a imageinput/output apparatus to transmit data necessary for a printingoperation performed only by another image input/output apparatus. Theprocessing shown in FIG. 5 is executed in each of the image input/outputapparatuses 200, 220 and 230.

The power on/off key 221 of the image input/output apparatus is helddepressed so that a power shutdown operation is carried out (S501).

When power shutdown is performed by the operator, preparations are madefor turning off the main power supply of the apparatus. In thisembodiment, however, one preparatory operation is to inform otherapparatuses connected to the network of power shutdown in such a mannerthat a new shared job will not be generated (S502).

FIG. 6 is a conceptual view useful in describing notification of powershutdown in this embodiment. The vertical axis in FIG. 6 indicateselapsed time. When power is introduced to an apparatus that is thetarget of a shared job (namely to a cooperating apparatus), the otherapparatuses (NW apparatuses) connected on the network are notified ofpower turn-on (601). As a result, the group of NW apparatuses startspolling regarding the cooperating apparatus, acquires informationconcerning the cooperating apparatus and can request a shared job by theinformation acquired from the cooperating apparatus. Conversely, acooperating apparatus is capable of requesting a shared job inaccordance with apparatus information acquired from the group of NWapparatuses. The cooperating apparatus periodically notifies of the factthat start-up is in progress (602) and notifies the group of NWapparatuses of the fact that execution of the shared job is possible.

When the power shutdown operation is performed with regard to thecooperating apparatus, as described above, the cooperating apparatusnotifies the group of NW apparatuses of power shutdown (603). The groupof NW apparatuses so notified of power shutdown inhibit the requestingof new jobs with respect to the cooperating apparatus. When the powersupply of the cooperating apparatus is subsequently turned on again(604), it becomes possible for the group of NW apparatuses to request ashared job.

Thus, according to this embodiment, it is assured that a new shared jobwill not be generated with respect to an apparatus at which the powershutdown operation has been performed.

With reference again to FIG. 5, it is determined whether there is ashared job (S503). In other words, when a shared job is already beingexecuted or whether execution of a shared job is scheduled isdetermined.

If it is determined that there is no shared job, then a messagenotifying the user of the fact that the main power source will be now beturned off is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 210 (S504) andcontrol is exercised so as to turn off the main power source (not shown)(S505). FIG. 7 illustrates an example of this display presented on theliquid crystal screen 210 at step S504. In regard to shutdown of themain power source, control is exercised so as to turn off the main powersource by a decision rendered by the CPU 2001 included in the controller2000. In this case, however, a hard switch connected to the main powersource is changed over by, e.g., relay control to turn off the mainpower source automatically.

At this time the CPU 2001 transitions to control to turn off its ownpower supply. Accordingly, preparatory processing necessary to turn offthe power supply, such as inhibiting access in order to protect thehard-disk drive 2004, is completed in advance. Further, in a case wherethe main power source is turned on again, the hard switch is changedover manually by the user.

On the other hand, if it is determined at S503 that a shared job exists,a message to the effect that power shutdown is accepted but that themain power source cannot be turned off immediately is displayed on theliquid crystal screen 210 (S506). FIG. 8 illustrates an example of thisdisplay presented on the liquid crystal screen 210 at step S504. Asillustrated, the message may be one indicating that the power sourcewill be turned off automatically following conclusion of the job.

Next, it is determined whether the shared job is currently beingexecuted or whether a shared job scheduled for execution has beencompleted (S507). If the job has not been completed, this determinationregarding job completion is repeated periodically. If it is determinedthat all shared jobs have been completed, then the user is informed by ascreen display similar to that of FIG. 7 of the fact that the main powersource will now be turned off (S508) and control is exercised so as toturn off the main power source (S509).

[In regard to the determination of completion of a shared job, theremote apparatus judges that the shared job has been completed at themoment the requested job is concluded, e.g., at the moment a printouthas been performed and at the moment the requested shared job has beensent back to the local apparatus.

In the case of the local apparatus, this apparatus judges that theshared job has been completed if the shared job requested in the remoteapparatus has ended, e.g., if a printout has been performed. On theother hand, if the remote apparatus performs a shared job such as aformat conversion, sends the electronic data back to the local apparatusand then the local apparatus subsequently performs a shared job such astransmission of e-mail, then a judgment to the effect that the job hasbeen completed is rendered at the moment this processing ends.

As described above, this embodiment is such that in an image processingsystem in which a shared job is capable of being executed among aplurality of image processing apparatuses connected via a network, anoperation to shutdown power in each image processing apparatus can beperformed without affecting a shared job currently being executed.

In particular, this embodiment is such that the generation of a newshared job relating to the apparatus is inhibited after power shutdownis performed by the operator. If there is a shared job currently beingexecuted or one that has been scheduled, then the main power source isturned off automatically following execution of this job. As a result,the operator can perform power shutdown without being aware of thestatus of shared-job execution, and the main power source is turned offwithout affecting the status of shared-job execution.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Thesecond embodiment also is an image processing system similar to that ofthe first embodiment. Portions similar to those of the first embodimentneed not be described again. The description that follows focusesprimarily on the features of the second embodiment.

In the first embodiment, if there is a shared job currently beingexecuted or one that has been scheduled, the power supply is turned offupon waiting for the end of the job. The second embodiment is such thatif the system has an apparatus (a proxy apparatus) to take over the job,then the shared job currently being executed or scheduled is executed bythe proxy apparatus to thereby shorten the time till power shutdown.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed at power shutdownin this embodiment. Processing steps in FIG. 9 identical with those ofthe flowchart of FIG. 5 described in relation to the first embodimentare designated by like step numbers. These similar steps need not bedescribed again; only the processing that differs will be described.

The flowchart of FIG. 9 differs from that of FIG. 5 in the processingthat follows step S506 at which the user is notified of the fact that ashared job exists and that the main power source cannot be turned offimmediately.

Processing executed at the local apparatus that requested the shared jobwill be examined. For example, consider a case where the local apparatushas requested the remote apparatus to execute processing for convertingthe format of computerized data as a shared job relating to “scan toe-mail”. Here the format conversion is to PDF data, TIFF data, OCR data,JPEG data or encrypted data, etc. As far as the local apparatus isconcerned, it is necessary to obtain format-converted electronic data;which apparatus performs the format conversion is not important.Accordingly, no problems arise even if the requested shared job isexecuted not by the apparatus that requested the job but by anotherapparatus connected to the network.

In view of this point, this embodiment is such that in a case where theremote apparatus has accepted power shutdown, a shared job in progressor scheduled at the remote apparatus is executed by another apparatus ifthis other apparatus is capable of executing the job. In other words,control is exercised to make this other apparatus act as a substitute.

In order to accomplish this, the remote apparatus that accepted powershutdown searches the other apparatuses on the network for an apparatus(proxy) that is capable of executing the requested shared job instead(S901). By way of example, this search is conducted by acquiring theinformation of the above-mentioned apparatus from apparatuses other thanthe local apparatus on the network. Based upon the acquired informationof the apparatus, it is determined whether a proxy apparatus exists(S902).

If a proxy apparatus is found, then the proxy apparatus is requested toexecute the shared job (S903). The timing of the request may be thatwhen a certain processing stage among a plurality of stages has ended.Further, when execution of the job is requested, the data to beprocessed, the data indicating the stage of the processing andinformation (job ID, etc.) that the remote apparatus has received fromthe local apparatus are transmitted to the proxy apparatus.

After the proxy apparatus is requested to execute the shared job atS903, or if it is determined at S902 that a proxy apparatus does notexist, then it is determined whether other requested shared jobs havebeen completed (S507). If it is determined that all shared jobs havebeen completed, then, as in the first embodiment, the user is informedby a screen display similar to that of FIG. 7 of the fact that the mainpower source will now be turned off (S508) and control is exercised soas to turn off the main power source (S509).

In the description rendered above, processing executed when the mainpower source of the remote apparatus is turned off is described.However, control can be exercised so as to request a proxy apparatus toexecute a shared job in a manner similar to that the local apparatus.Since it is required that the local apparatus notify the user of theresult of the shared job requested, however, it is preferred thatcontrol be exercised so as to display or give notification of how theresult of the shared job will be processed, or leave a log.

Thus, if a system has an apparatus (a proxy apparatus) that will takeover a job when a power shutdown operation has been performed, a sharedjob in progress or scheduled is executed by the proxy apparatus, therebyenabling the time till power shutdown to be curtailed.

Other Embodiments

In the embodiment set forth above, a case where the present invention isapplied to an image input/output apparatus having a scanner and aprinter has been described as an example. However, the present inventionis applicable to all types of data processing apparatus that are atleast connectable to a network and have a function for processing ashared job requiring cooperative operation using another data processingapparatus. Of course, the present invention is ideal for application toa multifunction peripheral having various processing functions inaddition to a data input unit and a data output unit.

Further, it may be so arranged that other additional information isdisplayed on the display screen (FIG. 8) which informs the user of thefact that power shutdown has been accepted but that the main powersource cannot be turned off immediately. Conceivable examples of suchadditional information are the destination (local apparatus) of therequest for execution of a shared job in progress or scheduled, the typeof shared job, and the predicted time till completion of the shared job.Furthermore, it may be so arranged that the user can set whether or notsuch information is to be displayed.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with regardto embodiments thereof, the present invention may be applied to a systemconstituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus comprising asingle device.

Furthermore, there are cases where the object of the invention isattained also by supplying a software program, which implements thefunctions of the foregoing embodiments, directly or remotely to a systemor apparatus, reading the supplied program codes with a computer of thesystem or apparatus, and then executing the program codes. In theforegoing embodiments, the program corresponds to the flowchart of FIG.5 or 9. In this case, so long as the system or apparatus has thefunctions of the program, the mode of implementation need not rely upona program.

Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention areimplemented by computer, the program codes per se installed in thecomputer also implement the present invention. In other words, the scopeof the present invention also covers a computer program that is for thepurpose of implementing the functions of the present invention.

In this case, so long as the system or apparatus has the functions ofthe program, the form of the program, e.g., object code, a programexecuted by an interpreter or script data supplied to an operatingsystem, etc., does not matter.

Examples of storage media that can be used for supplying the program area Floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk,magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, non-volatiletype memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R), etc.

As for the method of supplying the program, a client computer can beconnected to a website on the Internet using a browser possessed by theclient computer, and a download can be made from the website to arecording medium such as a hard disk. In this case, what is downloadedmay be the computer program per se of the present invention or a filethat contains automatically installable compressed functions. Further,implementation is possible by dividing the program codes constitutingthe program of the present invention into a plurality of files anddownloading the files from different websites. In other words, a WWW(World Wide Web) server that downloads, to multiple users, the programfiles that implement the functional processing of the present inventionby computer also is covered by the scope of the present invention.

Further, it is also possible to encrypt and store the program of thepresent invention on a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and distributethe storage medium to users. In this case, users who meet certainrequirements are allowed to download decryption key information from awebsite via the Internet, and the program decrypted using this keyinformation is installed on a computer in executable form.

Further, implementation of the functions is possible also in a formother than one in which the functions of the foregoing embodiments areimplemented by having a computer execute a program that has been read.For example, based upon indications in the program, an operating systemor the like running on the computer may perform all or a part of theactual processing so that the functions of the foregoing embodiments canbe implemented by this processing.

Furthermore, it may be so arranged that a program that has been readfrom a storage medium is written to a memory provided on a functionexpansion board inserted into the computer or provided in a functionexpansion unit connected to the computer. In this case, a CPU or thelike provided on the function expansion board or function expansion unitperforms some or all of the actual processing based upon the indicationsin the program and the functions of the foregoing embodiments areimplemented by this processing.

In accordance with the present invention, whether a shared job currentlybeing executed or whose execution is scheduled exists can be ascertainedin an image processing apparatus designated for power shutdown by theuser. In addition, power shutdown is controlled in accordance with thestate of execution of a shared job, i.e., in accordance with whetherexecution of the job has been completed or not. As a result, powershutdown during execution of a shared job is prevented.

This means that a user can designate power shutdown without beingconcerned about the state of execution of shared job. Operability isenhanced as a result.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

1. An image processing apparatus, comprising: a scanner that scans anoriginal to generate image data; a printer that performs printing basedon the image data generated by the scanner or image data transmittedfrom an external apparatus connected to the image processing apparatusvia a network; an operation unit that performs designation or input by auser; a determination unit that determines whether or not the image datatransmitted from the external apparatus is printing in the printer whena shutdown of a power supply is designated from the operation unit bythe user; and a control unit that, in a case where it is determined bythe determination unit that the image data transmitted from the externalapparatus is printing, performs the shutdown of the power supply aftercompleting the print, and in a case where it is determined by thedetermination unit that the image data transmitted from the externalapparatus is not printing, performs the shutdown of the power supplywithout waiting for the print completion even if the image datagenerated by the scanner is printing in the printer.
 2. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit thatnotifies the external apparatus not to transmit new image data when theshutdown of the power supply is designated from the operation unit bythe user.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operationunit has a display screen displays information, and wherein, on thedisplay screen, performing the shutdown of the power supply immediatelyis displayed in a case where it is determined by the determination unitthat the image data transmitted from the external apparatus is notprinting, and performing the shutdown of the power supply later isdisplayed in a case where it is determined by the determination unitthat the image data transmitted from the external apparatus is printing.4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image datatransmitted from the external apparatus is image data generated by ascanner prepared for the external apparatus.
 5. An image processingapparatus, comprising: a scanner that scans an original to generateimage data; a printer that performs printing based on the image datagenerated by the scanner or image data transmitted from an externalapparatus connected to the image processing apparatus via a network; anoperation unit that performs designation or input by a user; adetermination unit that determines whether or not the image datatransmitted from the external apparatus is a print waiting state when ashutdown of a power supply is designated from the operation unit by theuser; and a control unit that, in a case where it is determined by thedetermination unit that the image data transmitted from the externalapparatus is the print waiting state, performs the shutdown of the powersupply after print completion of the image data of the print waitingstate, and in a case where it is determined by the determination unitthat the image data transmitted from the external apparatus is not theprint waiting state, performs the shutdown of the power supply withoutwaiting for the print completion even if the image data generated by thescanner is printing or the print waiting state in the printer.
 6. Theapparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a notification unitthat notifies the external apparatus not to transmit new image data whenthe shutdown of the power supply is designated from the operation unitby the user.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein theoperation unit has a display screen displays information, and wherein,on the display screen, performing the shutdown of the power supplyimmediately is displayed in a case where it is determined by thedetermination unit that the image data transmitted from the externalapparatus is not the print waiting state, and performing the shutdown ofthe power supply later is displayed in a case where it is determined bythe determination unit that the image data transmitted from the externalapparatus is the print waiting state.
 8. The apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein the image data transmitted from the external apparatusis image data generated by a scanner prepared for the externalapparatus.
 9. A control method for an image processing apparatus havinga scanner that scans an original to generate image data, a printer thatperforms printing based on the image data generated by the scanner orimage data transmitted from an external apparatus connected to the imageprocessing apparatus via a network, and an operation unit that performsdesignation or input by a user, the method comprising: determiningwhether or not the image data transmitted from the external apparatus isprinting in the printer when a shutdown of a power supply is designatedfrom the operation unit by the user; and in a case where it isdetermined in the determining step that the image data transmitted fromthe external apparatus is printing, performing the shutdown of the powersupply after completing the print, and in a case where it is determinedin the determining step that the image data transmitted from theexternal apparatus is not printing, performing the shutdown of the powersupply without waiting for the print completion even if the image datagenerated by the scanner is printing in the printer.
 10. A controlmethod for an image processing apparatus having a scanner that scans anoriginal to generate image data, a printer that performs printing basedon the image data generated by the scanner or image data transmittedfrom an external apparatus connected to the image processing apparatusvia a network, and an operation unit that performs designation or inputby a user, the method comprising: determining whether or not the imagedata transmitted from the external apparatus is a print waiting statewhen a shutdown of a power supply is designated from the operation unitby the user; and in a case where it is determined in the determiningstep that the image data transmitted from the external apparatus is theprint waiting state, performing the shutdown of the power supply afterprint completion of the image data of the print waiting state, and in acase where it is determined in the determining step that the image datatransmitted from the external apparatus is not the print waiting state,performing the shutdown of the power supply without waiting for theprint completion even if the image data generated by the scanner isprinting or the print waiting state in the printer.
 11. A non-transitorycomputer-readable recording medium on which a program has been recordedfor causing a computer to execute the control method set forth in claim9.
 12. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium on which aprogram has been recorded for causing a computer to execute the controlmethod set forth in claim 10.